To pretend no one can find
The fallacies of morning rose
Forbidden fruit, hidden eyes
Courtesies that I despise in me
Take a ride, take a shot now

'Cause nobody loves me
It's true
Not like you do

Covered by the blind belief
That fantasies of sinful screens
Bear the facts, assume the dye
End the vows no need to lie, enjoy
Take a ride, take a shot now

'Cause nobody loves me
It's true
Not like you do

Who am I, what and why?
'Cause all I have left
Is my memories of yesterday
Oh, these sour times

'Cause nobody loves me
It's true
Not like you do

After time the bitter taste
Of innocence decent or race
Scattered seeds, buried lives
Mysteries of our disguise revolve
Circumstance will decide

'Cause nobody loves me
It's true
Not like you do

'Cause nobody loves me
It's true
Not like you
Nobody loves me
It's true
Not like you do


Lyrics submitted by Ice, edited by Matsebond, Merlina21

Sour Times Lyrics as written by Beth Gibbons Adrian Utley

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Sour Times song meanings
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45 Comments

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  • +6
    General Comment

    This song is definitely about infidelity, but also about someone who has given up on love altogether. "End the vows no need to lie enjoy" means that shes going to enter new relationships not having any commitment so there is no expectations to not lie. "Take a ride, take a shot now."I think this is referring to her giving up and telling a new guy to take a ride and take a shot at her, because nothing can hurt her anymore... But even though the first guy hurt her, she cant stop loving him. Which is why she keeps repeating the hook "Nobody loves me." The last verse especially refers to infidelity. She talks about "scattered seeds" which represent the first man's infidelity. And "innoncence" being lost. It's a sad song that is maschistic but extremely beautiful at the same time.

    city212girlon January 18, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    It's about infidelity. She's in love and having an affair with a married man or, possibly, she is married to an unfaithful man that she loves beyond reason. I think the lyrics hold up better w/ the former but both work.

    The song in a nutshell from that point of view: You pretend that this infidelity doesn't hurt me and that I don't know you're unfaithful. I maintain the illusion that I don't know. I despise myself for this but I love you beyond all reason and I know you love me. Although I tell myself this but the bitterness of reality hurts me a great deal. I pretend that you don't know this hurts me. If I wait long enough the circumstances will change so I am patient because I love you.

    whybother?on November 17, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    great song

    landingstillon May 07, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    To me this song is about being trapped in illusions and possibly letting love slide past you..

    xinniefulon January 22, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song's very gothic, there's almost a seductive obsessive feel to it. I think it's about swirling in depression and feeling alone, yet obsessing about the tiny glimmer of love someone felt for her before.

    Soulordesson November 08, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    "Nobody loves me, it's true ... not like you do." This single line has so many interpretations, it's like trying to look at yourself in a cracked mirror. I love this song, it's eerie, romantic, desperate, and somehow soothing all at once. A near-perfect piece of pop art.

    bingoboyon December 17, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    portishead is just awesome

    Emanual200on June 08, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    teehee... ive been looking for these lyrics forever. now ive got a warm and fuzzy feeling inside... hurray. :-D

    Aniegaon August 06, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    awesome song

    incubus421on March 04, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Was this song in a movie? Because this was one of the reasons I got into Portishead in the first place.

    phatcaton March 04, 2003   Link

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